Cantillo then decided to pursue an acting career in New York City after taking some drama classes at IU. In late 2003, he moved to California, where he and his wife Kristi, and their 7-year-old daughter live in Santa Clarita, a town “that kind of reminds us of Terre Haute.”

After doing off-Broadway plays in New York, Cantillo landed guest roles on popular television series from early 2000 to present. After 2006 he started getting supporting and large roles.